Michael graduated from Gabelli School of Business with a major in Public Accounting, Professional Accounting. He was a part of multiple activities on and off campus, as President of the Fordham Film Club, player in Intramural Basketball, member of Fordham University Experienced Leaders Program, the National Society of Leadership and Success, and an Arts & Culture Writer for The Observer. Currently, he is an Audit Associate at KPMG IN New York City.
How did you find this opportunity? Is it related to your major?
I found the opportunity to become an Audit Associate at KPMG through the guidance of Fordham’s Personal and Professional Development Center (PPD). The center taught me how to use the career building tools accessible to Gabelli students such as Handshake where I could find internships which ultimately led to me receiving a full time offer. Starting my professional career as an Audit Associate is a seamless next step after graduating with a Professional Accounting degree.
What are/were you most nervous/excited about as you start(ed)?
I’m most excited about building strong professional relationships throughout the accounting industry that will help me to become the professional that I want to be and that will open up so many opportunities for me in the near future. I’m most nervous about not knowing what to do at times but my accounting internships have shown me that that is perfectly okay and that it is a learning process.
What were your most valuable resources at Fordham?
My most valuable resources at Fordham like I touched on above were the Personal and Professional Development Center and the coffee chats with employers which helped get my name out there.
Did you do internships during your time as an undergrad?
My first internship was in the summer of 2023 as an Assurance Intern with FORVIS which is now Forvis Mazars. I completed the Fordham Winternship Program in the spring semester of 2024 during my senior year as an Audit Intern with KPMG which led to me receiving a full time offer post graduation.
What advice would you give others for the job search and application process?
For those who are currently looking for jobs, if there are coffee chats with employers that interest you, do them! I was able to do coffee chats with most of the Big 4 in Accounting including KPMG. The coffee chats are pretty much mock interviews by a current employee of the company. They give you advice on how to improve and by doing the coffee chat, you have already made a connection with that company, increasing your chances of getting an interview.
In general, what are your future career goals?
My future career goals are to work internationally in a Spanish speaking country as I completed a semester abroad in Granada, Spain my junior year, and to continue to push myself to continue to learn and grow through a fulfilling and purpose driven career.
